Lawrence Reads!

The Lawrence Public Library presents

Lawrence Reads!

 Contact information:

Louise Sandberg978-620-3606

lsandberg@cityoflawrence.com

The Lawrence Public Library, in collaboration with the Friends of the Lawrence Public Library and other local organizations, ran a City Wide Read which tried to include the entire city of Lawrence, Massachusetts reading one book: Bread and Roses, too by Katherine Paterson.  The book is a young adult fictional account of the  Lawrence Textile Workers’ Strike of 1912.    The Library still has many copies. 

• Please be sure to view just a few of the participants.  Keep an eye out for what is coming next!

Future events and books will be announced on this page.

Book Club Lawrence Public Library (2011-12) Bread and Roses

The Friends of the Lawrence Public Library welcome readers, union organizers, and activists to join us in reading eight books to commemorate the Centennial of the 1912 Bread and Roses textile workers’ strike!  From September through April we will be reading a selection of fiction and non-fiction books that will take us into the labor turmoil and progressive politics of the early 20^th century.  The authors of the first and last selections are expected to attend.  The final book, Bread and Roses, too!, will be part of a city-wide read in March and April.  We hope to have many of the volumes available for sale at either the Library or at the Andover Book Store.

There is a choice of two dates, a Monday (6:00 PM) and a Thursday (3:00 PM), for discussion.  These groups will meet on the 3^rd floor of the Lawrence Public Library at 51 Lawrence Street.  Please contact Louise Sandberg at 978-620-3606 and lsandberg@cityoflawrence.com.

I will be including a list of other material to read or watch over the next few months.  I am expecting Bruce Watson, the author of the first book, at our first meeting, September 26th.

National History Day

Materials relating to Lisa Litterio’s entry in the 1999-2000 National History Day contest relating to the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 in Lawrence, Mass., a defining moment in U.S. history, for which she finished with a first place in the national contest as best project in labor history. Includes index cards (2 boxes), 129 slides, video of the competition, correspondence, and other documents. Includes correspondence from Rep. Edward J, Markey and staff members at George Meany Memorial Archives and the National History Day organization as well as thank you letter to Louise Sandberg, archivist, Lawrence Public Library and letter from Patricia A. Dowling, mayor, Lawrence, Mass., written to Sandberg with additional information concerning the competition.

Fasanella exhibit (1978)

The library has twenty-five color slides documenting the exhibit.

In September of 1978 the Lawrence Public Library celebrated the 125 anniversary of the City of Lawrence with an exhibit of Ralph Fasanella’s works.  Many of these paintings depict the City of Lawrence, particularly during the Strike of 1912.  James R. Kennedy was the director.  The artist, Ralph Fasanella, was honored with a reception Friday September 8^th from 3-to 5 PM in the auditorium sponsored by the Friends of the LPL and supported by the White Fund Trustees.   Phyllis Tyler was in charge of arrangements.  The paintings and other ephemera were on display in the auditorium of the library from Sept. 10 to 30, 1978.